The  West  End 
Association 


*  *  * 


PROPOSED  REVISION 

CONSTITUTION 
and  BY-LAWS 


*  *  * 


JANUARY,  1917 


Avery  Architectural  and  Fine  Arts  Library 
Gift  of  Seymour  B.  Durst  Old  York  Library 


6o:<  V  r 


CONSTITUTION. 

ARTICLE  I 

NAME 

Section  1.  This  Corporation  shall  be  called 
"The  West  End  Association." 

ARTICLE  II 
Section  1.  The  object  of  this  Association 
shall  be  the  improvement  of  that  portion  or  dis- 
trict of  the  City  of  New  York,  lying  between 
Manhattan  Street  on  the  north,  Fifty-ninth 
Street  on  the  south.  Central  Park  West  and 
Eighth  Avenue  on  the  east,  and  the  Hudson 
River  on  the  west ;  the  bringing  together  of  the 
residents  of  that  district  for  their  better  ac- 
quaintance, and  for  their  social  and  mutual  bene- 
fit. It  is  distinctly  understood,  however,  that 
this  Association  shall  not  be  in  any  sense  a  politi- 
cal organization. 

ARTICLE  III 

MEMBERSHIP 

Section  1.  This  Association  shall  be  com- 
posed of  two  classes  of  members,  Active  and 
Honorary. 


Sec.  2.  All  persons  of  full  age  who  are  resi- 
dents or  property  owners  of  that  portion  of  the 
City  of  New  York  described  in  Article  II  of  this 
Constitution,-  shall  be  eligible  to  Active  Mem- 
bership. 

Sec.  3.  Such  persons  of  full  age  whom  this 
Association  elects,  as  hereinafter  provided,  shall 
be  Honorary  Members. 

Sec.  4.  Any  member  may  propose  in  writing 
at  any  regular  meeting  the  name  of  any  person 
for  Active  or  Honorary  Membership,  and  the 
name  of  such  person  shall  not  be  acted  upon 
until  the  next  regular  meeting.  The  votes  of 
two-thirds  of  the  members  present  shall  be  neces- 
sary for  the  election  of  any  person  so  proposed 
for  membership. 

Sec.  5.  Honorary  Members  shall  be  entitled 
to  all  the  privileges  of  this  Association  except 
that  of  voting,  and  they  shall  be  exempt  from 
the  payment  of  all  dues. 

ARTICLE  IV 

0EE1CEKS  [AND]  COMMITTEES  and  Council 

Section  1.  The  officers  of  the  Association 
shall  be  a  President,  First,  Second  and  Third 
Vice-Presidents,  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  who 
shall  be  chosen  from  the  Active  Members. 

The  Association  may,  at  any  regular  meeting, 
elect  an  Honorary  President,  provided  that  the 
member  so  elected  shall  have  previously  served 


1 


as  President  or  Vice-President  of  the  Associa- 
tion, and  that  there  shall  be  but  one  such  officer 
at  any  time. 

Sec.  2.  There  shall  be  elected  at  the  Decem- 
ber meeting  an  Executive  Committee  to  consist 
of  nine  Active  Members,  besides  the  President. 
Treasurer  and  Secretary,  who  shall  be  ex-officio 
members  thereof  and  of  which  committee  the 
First  Vice-President  shall  be  Chairman. 


[Sec.  3.  There  shall  be  appointed  by  the 
President  ten  Standing  Committees. 


1st. 

A 

Committee  on  Local  Improvements. 

2d. 

A 

Committee  on  Sanitary  Affairs  and 

Xui  sauces. 

3d. 

A 

Committee  on  Grievances. 

4th. 

A 

House  Committee. 

5th. 

A  Membership  Committee. 

6th. 

A 

Committee  on  Finance. 

7th. 

A 

Committee  on  Legislation,  Law  and 

Schools. 

8th. 

A 

Committee  on  Taxation. 

9th. 

A 

Committee  on  Railroads. 

10th. 

A 

Committee  of  the  Whole,  to  consist 

of  all  the  members  of  the  Association,  and  to  be 
called  together  by  the  President  in  any  special 
emergency.] 

Sec..  J.  There  shall  be  appointed  by  the 
President  with  the  approval  of  the  Executive 
Committee  an  Advisory  Council  of  the  Associa- 


Hon,  to  consist  of  at  least  seven  persons,  a  ma  jor- 
ity  of  whom  shall  be  active  members,  besides 
the  President  and  Honorary  President,  who  shall 
be  ex-officio  members  thereof. 

Sec.  4.  There  shall  be  appointed  by  the  Presi- 
dent ten  standing  committees. 

1st.  Committee  on  Matters  cognisable  by 
City  Executive  and  Finance  Depart- 
ments. 

2nd.  Committee  on  Matters  cognizable  by  the 
Board  of  Estimate  and  Apportion- 
ment and  Public  Service  Commis- 
sion. 

3rd.  Committee  on  Matters  cognizable  by  the 
Board  of  Aldermen,  Borough  Presi- 
dent, and  Sinking  Fund  Commission. 

.fill.  Committee  011  Matters  of  City  Depart- 
ments. 

jth.    Committee  on  Budget  and  Taxation. 
6th.    Committee  on  Law  and  Legislation, 
yth.    Committee  on  Finance. 
8th.    House  Committee, 
pth.    Membership  Committee. 
TOth.    Committee  on  Grievances. 

ARTICLE  V. 
Publication. 

All  matters  of  interest  to  the  members  of  the 
Association  and  the  minutes  of  the  meeting  and 
reports  of  committees  shall  be  published  in  the 


4 


official  organ  of  the  Association  to  be  known  as 
The  West  End  Bulletin. 

ARTICLE  [VJ  VI. 

POWER    TO    ENACT  BY-LAWS 

This  Association  shall  have  full  and  ample 
power  to  enact  By-Laws,  for  the  transaction  of 
its  business  and  for  its  general  government, 
not  inconsistent  with  the  provisions  of  this  Con- 
stitution. 

ARTICLE  [YIJ  VII, 

AMENDMENTS 

[Section  1.  In  order  to  amend  this  Consti- 
tution, the  proposed  Amendment  or  Alteration 
shall  be  presented  to  the  Association  in  writing, 
signed  by  at  least  five  members.  The  Amend- 
ment may  be  adopted  at  the  next  meeting  by  a 
two-thirds  vote  of  those  present.  A  copy  of  the 
proposed  Amendment  must,  however,  be  sent  to 
the  Executive  Committee  at  least  five  days  be- 
fore the  meeting,  and  to  each  member  in  the 
notice  of  the  meeting.] 

Section  I.  This  constitution  may  be  amended 
by  a  two-thirds  vote  of  the  members  present  at 
any  regular  meeting,  provided  such  proposed 
amendments  are  mailed  to  the  members  of  the 
Association  at  least  five  days  before  such  meet- 
ing, and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Secretary  upon 
request  of  such  five  members  to  give  such  notice. 

5 


BY-LAWS. 


i 

DUTIES   OF   PRESIDENT   AND  VICE-PRESIDENTS 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  President  to  preside 
at  all  meetings,  and  he  shall  be  ex-officio  a  mem- 
ber of  all  committees.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of 
the  First  Vice-President  to  preside  at  all  meet- 
ings at  which  the  President  is  not  present.  In 
the  event  of  the  President  and  First  Vice-Presi- 
dent being  absent,  the  Second  Vice-President 
shall  preside.  In  the  event  of  the  President 
and  the  First  and  Second  Vice-Presidents  being- 
absent,  the  Third  Vice-President  shall  preside. 
In  the  absence  of  all  of  them,  any  Active  Mem- 
ber, to  be  elected  without  ballot,  shall  preside. 
[If  the  office  of  President  should  become  vacant 
between  two  annual  meetings,  the  Vice-Presi- 
dents shall  succeed  to  the  office  in  regular  order.] 

During  the  summer  vacation,  or  whenever  the 
regular  monthly  meetings  arc  suspended  by  tJie 
vote  of  the  Association,  the  President,  or  in  his 
absence,  the  ranking  Vice-President  shall  refer 
any  business  connected  with  the  Association  to 
the  Advisory  Council  or  to  any  Committee  to 
take  such  action  in  the  premises  as  may  be  proper. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  President  to  send  to 
each  nezvly  elected  member  a  copy  of  the  Con- 
stitution and  By-Laws  and  a  list  of  the  standing 


6 


and  special  committees  of  the  Association  with 
a  statement  of  the  matters  pending  before  such 
committees. 

It  shall  he  his  duty  to  conduct  the  correspond- 
ence of  the  Association  and  to  report  such  corre- 
spondence to  the  Association  at  its  next  regular 
meeting;  and  at  the  annual  meeting  to  file  the 
same  zvith  the  Secretary. 

II 

ORDER  OF  BUSINESS 

At  each  regular  meeting  the  order  of  business 
shall  be  as  follows,  to  wit : 

1st.    Reading  of  Minutes  of  Previous  Meet- 
ing. 

2d.     Report  of  Executive  Committee. 
3d.     Report  of  President  and  Treasurer. 
4th.    Co  mmunica  Hons  from  Council  and  re-^ 
ports  of  Standing  and  Special  Committees. 
5th.  Elections. 
6th.    Special  Business. 
7th.    Unfinished  Business. 
8th.    New  Business. 

This  Order  of  Business  may  be  changed  by  a 
vote  of  the  majority  of  the  members  present. 
The  usual  parliamentary  rules  shall,  govern  all 
meetings,  except  in  cases  otherwise  provided  for 
by  the  Constitution  or  By-Laws. 


Ill 


SECRETARY 

The  Secretary  shall  keep  a  record  of  the  pro- 
ceedings of  all  meetings,  and  of  all  other  matters 
of  which  a  record  shall  be  ordered.  He  shall 
notify  the  officers  and  all  members  of  the  com- 
mittees of  their  election  or  appointment ;  and  he 
shall  issue  notices  of  all  meetings[ ;  shall  conduct 
the  correspondence  of  the  Corporation,  with  con- 
currence of  the  President]. 

He  shall  also  keep  a  record  of  all  matters 
referred  to  any  committee  at  each  meeting  of 
the  Association  and  sJiall  report  at  each  meet- 
ing what  matters,  if  any,  are  then  pending  with 
the  date  of  reference  thereof. 

He  shall  also  prepare  and  edit  the  notices, 
journal  or  bulletins  of  the  Association  contain- 
ing the  reports  of  its  activities  and  cause  the  same 
to  be  distributed  to  its  members  in  such  manner 
as  may  be  directed. 

He  shall  furnish  the  Treasurer  the  names  of 
all  persons  newly  elected  to  membership. 

IV 

TREASURER 

The  Treasurer  shall  keep  at  all  times  a  com- 
plete roll  of  the  members  and  shall  notify  new 
members  of  their  election.    He  shall  collect,  and 

8 


under  the  direction  of  the  Finance  Committee, 
disburse  alt  funds  of  the  Association.  He  shall 
keep  regular  accounts  in  books  of  the  Association 
[Corporation],  which  shall  be  open  to  the  inspec- 
tion of  any  member  of  the  Finance  Committee. 

He  shall  report  in  writing,  at  each  regular 
meeting  of  the  Association  and  of  the  Finance 
Committee,  the  balance  of  money  on  hand  or  any 
existing  appropriation  which  may  affect  the 
same.  At  the  annual  meeting  he  shall  make  a 
full  report  of  the  receipts  and  disbursements 
and  all  outstanding  obligations  of  the  Associa- 
tion, and  any  suggestion  he  may  deem  proper  to 
make. 

His  accounts  shall  be  audited  by  the  Finance 
Committee  at  a  regular  meeting  preceding  the 
annual  meeting. 

V 

OFFICES  AND  FLACE  OF  BUSINESS 

The  principal  office  and  place  of  business  of 
the  Association  shall  be  within  its  territorial 
limit,  as  provided  by  the  Constitution,  Article  II, 
Section  1. 

And  its  location  may  be  changed  and  estab- 
lished within  said  limits  at  the  pleasure  of  the 
Association  by  a  two-thirds  vote  of  the  Active 
Members  present  at  a  regular  meeting. 


9 


VI 


REGULAR  MEETINGS 

Section  1.  There  shall  be  a  regular  meeting 
of  the  Association  on  the  first  Monday  of  every 
month,  except  when  otherwise  ordered  by  the 
Chair. 

Sec.  2.  There  shall  also  be  a  regular  annual 
meeting  of  the  Association  on  the  first  Monday 
of  January  in  each  year. 

At  any  meeting  the  presence  of  ten  members 
shall  be  necessary  to  constitute  a  quorum. 

VII 

SPECIAL  MEETINGS 

A  Special  Meeting  of  the  Association  shall  be 
called  by  the  President,  upon  due  application  in 
.writing,  signed  by  five  members,  and  three  days' 
previous  notice  of  such  meeting  given  by  the 
Secretary. 

Such  notice  shall  specify  [briefly]  the  [sup- 
posed] necessity  of  the  meeting  and  state  the  na- 
ture of  the  business  to  be  presented  for  consid- 
eration, and  no  other  business  shall  be  transacted 
at  such  meeting. 

VIII 

ELECTION  OF  OFFICERS 

At  the  regular  monthly  meeting  in  November 
in  each  year  a  committee  of  five  shall  be  chosen 


10 


by  ballot  [unless  the  manner  of  said  election  be 
amended  or  changed  by  a  two-thirds  vote  of 
those  present  J,  the  five  members  receiving  the 
highest  number  of  votes  to  constitute  a  nomi- 
nating committee,  who  shall  select,  within  twenty 
days  thereafter,  the  various  officers  to  be  recom- 
mended by  them  for  the  ensuing  year.  It  shall 
be  the  duty  of  the  Secretary  to  mail  the  names 
so  selected  to  the  members,  with  the  notice[sJ  of 
the  December  meeting,  at  which  meeting  the 
election  for  officers  for  the  ensuing  year  shall 
take  place,  and  those  duly  elected  shall  assume 
their  various  positions  at  the  January  meeting 
and  continue  in  office  one  year. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  President  to  appoint 
three  tellers  at  the  November  meeting  (previous 
to  election),  who  shall  count  the  votes  and  report 
the  same  at  the  annual  election,  and  those  receiv- 
ing the  highest  number  of  votes  shall  be  declared 
duly  elected. 

Whenever  a  vacancy  in  any  elective  office  oc- 
curs it  shall  be  filled  by  ballot  at  a  special  election 
to  be  held  at  the  next  regular  meeting,  of  which 
five  days'  notice  shall  be  given  by  the  Secretary  or 
President. 

IX 

EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE 

Section  1.  The  Executive  Committee  shall 
meet  at  least  once  a  month.     Five  members, 

11 


whether  elected  or  ex-officio  members,  shall  form 
a  quorum. 

They  shall  have  power  to  make  any  such  rules 
or  regulations  and  take  such  action,  not  incon- 
sistent with  the  Constitution  and  By-Laws,  as 
shall  be  necessary  to  promote  and  carry  out  the 
objects  of  the  Association. 

Sec.  2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Executive 
Committee,  upon  it  appearing  to  them  that  any 
member  of  this  Association  is  unworthy  of  mem- 
bership, to  report  such  fact  to  the  Association 
for  their  action. 

Before  such  report  is  made  such  member  shall 
be  gmen  an  opportunity  to  be  heard  by  said  com- 
mittee on  five  days'  notice  by  mail. 

Upon  such  report  being  adopted  by  a  two- 
thirds  vote,  such  member  shall  be  deemed  to 
have  forfeited  his  membership. 

X 

ELECTION  OF  MEMBERS 

A  vote  shall  be  taken  at  a  regular  meeting  of 
the  Association  upon  those  persons  recom- 
mended by  the  Committee  on  Membership,  as 
provided  by  By-Law  [XIII,  Section  5.]  XIV } 
Section  p. 

The  vote  of  two-thirds  of  the  members  present 
and  voting  shall  be  required  for  an  election. 

If  any  person  so  elected  does  not,  within  one 


12 


month  after  notice  of  election,  signify  his  accept- 
ance by  paying  the  initiation  fee,  and  the  first 
annual  dues,  he  shall  be  deemed  to  have  declined 
to  become  a  member. 

XI 

MOTIONS 

Every  motion  or  resolution  which  shall  be 
made  or  offered  at  any  meeting  shall,  at  the 
request  of  the  Secretary,  be  reduced  to  writing 
and  furnished  to  the  Secretary,  before  the  ques- 
tion shall  be  put. 

XII 

INITIATION  FEE  AND  DUES 

Each  person  elected  to  active  membership  of 
this  Association,  shall  pay  the  sum  of  two  dol- 
lars as  an  initiation  fee  and  five  dollars  a  year 
as  annual  dues,  in  advance,  except  that  any 
active  member  of  this  Association  may  pay  to 
the  Treasurer  at  one  time  the  sum  of  fifty  dol- 
lars; after  such  payment  such  active  member 
shall  be  relieved  of  the  payment  of  all  annual 
dues. 

[XIII 

COM  MITTEES 

Section  1.  The  Committee  on  Local  Improve- 
ments. 

All  matters  brought  before  this  Corporation 


13 


which  relate  to  Local  Improvements  or  Proposed 
Local  Improvements,  other  than  such  as  affect 
questions  of  the  health  of  the  district  described 
in  Article  II  of  the  Constitution,  may  be  re- 
ferred to  the  Committee  on  Local  Improvements, 
who  shall  act  upon  such  matters  and  report  such 
action  back  to  the  Corporation. 

Sec.  2.    The  Committee  on  Sanitary  Affairs. 

Any  matter  affecting  the  health  of  the  district 
aforesaid,  or  of  the  inhabitants  thereof,  and 
which  is  brought  before  this  Corporation,  may 
be  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Sanitary  Affairs, 
who  shall  act  and  report  back  in  like  manner. 

Sec.  3.    Committee  on  Grievances. 

Any  matter  brought  before  the  Corporation 
in  the  nature  of  a  complaint  or  grievance,  which 
cannot  properly  be  referred  to  either  of  the  last 
two  mentioned  committees,  may  be  referred  to 
the  Committee  on  Grievances,  who  shall  act  and 
report  back  in  like  manner. 

Sec.  4.    The  House  Committee. 

The  House  Committee  shall  provide  a  place  of 
meeting  for  the  Corporation  and  arrange  all  de- 
tails relative  thereto,  reporting  at  each  regular 
meeting  upon  such  matters  as  may  pertain  to  the 
comfort  and  welfare  of  its  members. 

Sec.  5.    The  Committee  on  Membership. 

The  Committee  on  Membership  shall  meet  at 
least  once  a  month,  during  the  year,  except  in 


14 


July,  August  and  September.  Candidates  for 
membership  may  be  proposed  by  any  member 
who  shall  send  to  the  Chairman  of  the  Com- 
mittee the  name  of  the  candidate,  together  with 
his  place  of  residence  and  a  statement  of  his 
qualifications ;  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
Committee  to  make  diligent  inquiries  as  to  the 
qualifications  of  the  candidate ;  and  its  proceed- 
ings shall  be  secret  and  confidential.  Candidates 
against  whom  there  shall  be  a  majority  of  nega- 
tive votes  in  the  Committee  shall  not  be  recom- 
mended for  membership.  Such  candidates  as 
this  Committee  shall  approve  shall  be  reported  at 
a  regular  meeting  with  a  recommendation  for 
election. 

Sec.  6.    The  Committee  on  Finance. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Finance  Committee 
to  pass  upon  and  audit  all  bills  of  the  Treas- 
urer before  the  Treasurer  pays  the  same,  and  to 
examine  and  report  upon  the  Treasurer's  annual 
report. 

No  appropriation  of  Association  funds,  except 
for  expenses  or  disbursements  of  a  standing  or 
special  committee  of  the  Association,  shall  be 
made  unless  the  resolution  providing  therefor 
shall  have  been  referred  to  and  approved  by  this 
committee. 

Sec.  7.  The  Committee  on  Legislation,  Law 
and  Schools. 

The    Committee    on    Legislation,    Law  and 

15 


Schools  shall  meet  once  a  month.  It  shall  be  the 
duty  of  such  Committee  to  act  upon  all  matters 
referred  to  it  relating  to  law  bills  in  the  Legisla- 
ture, or  proposed  bills,  and  questions  affecting 
the  Schools  or  proposed  schools  of  the  district 
and  report  at  the  next  regular  meeting  thereafter. 

Sec.  8.   The  Committee  on  Taxation. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  this  committee  to  act 
upon  all  matters  referred  to  it  relating  to  bills  in 
the  Legislature  and  questions  affecting  taxation, 
and  report  such  action  back  to  the  Corporation. 

Sec.  9.   The  Committee  on  Railroads. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  this  committee  to  act 
upon  all  matters  referred  to  it  relating  to  bills  in 
the  Legislature  and  questions  relating  to  rail- 
roads, and  report  such  action  back  to  the  Cor- 
poration.] 

XIII 

/  Advisory  Council 

Section  i.  The  Advisory  Council  of  the 
Corporation  shall  meet  upon  call  of  the  Chair- 
man, or  a  majority  of  the  members  thereof. 

They  shall  have  pozver  to  take  such  action  not 
inconsistent  with  the  constitution  and  by-laws  as 
shall  be  necessary  to  promote  the  interests  of  the 
Association,  and  to  further  its  policy  as  duly 
expressed  by  the  members  thereof.  They  shall 
act  in  a  consulting  and  advisory  capacity  to  any 
of  the  committees  of  the  Association  and  may 

16 


confer  with  such  cow  mitt ees  from  time  to  time 
and,  when  necessary,  assist  and  advise  such 
committees  in  the  furtherance  and  consumma- 
tion of  the  work  entrusted  to  such  committees  in 
the  interests  of  the  Association  as  duly  expressed 
by  the  members  thereof. 

They  shall  also  have  power  to  act  upon  and 
to  submit  to  any  committee  for  action  any  mat- 
ter affecting  the  interests  of  the  Association  re- 
ferred to  it,  or  which  may  arise,  and  which  may 
not  have  been  so  referred  at  any  of  the  regular 
meetings  of  the  Association.  Members  of  this 
Council  shall  continue  in  office  until  the  next  an- 
nual meeting  after  their  appointment  and  until 
their  successors  are  appointed. 

[XIV 

GENERAL  DUTIES  AND  POWERS  OF  COMMITTEES 

Each  of  the  Committees  named  in  the  fore- 
going By-Laws  shall  consist  of  no  less  than 
three  and  no  more  than  nine  Active  M embers,  to 
be  appointed  by  the  President,  who  shall  con- 
tinue in  office  until  the  annual  meeting  next  after 
their  appointment,  and  until  their  successors 
are  appointed ;  and  each  of  said  Committees 
shall  have  full  power  to  fill  vacancies.  All  Com- 
mittees shall  have  power  to  fix  their  own  time  and 
place  of  meeting,  and  to  adopt  rules  and  regula- 
tions for  their  own  government  and  course  of 
procedure  not  inconsistent  with  the  Constitution 

17 


and  By-Laws.  Every  Standing  Committee  shall 
report  at  each  regular  meeting.] 

XIV 
Committees 

Section  i.  Committee  on  Matters  cogniza- 
ble by  City  Executive  and  Finance  Departments. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  this  Committee 
to  keep  informed  of  all  matters  that  may  affect 
the  interests  of  the  Association  under  the  juris- 
diction of  the  Executive  Department  of  the  City 
of  New  York,  including  the  Department  of 
Licenses  and  the  Office  of  the  Comptroller,  and 
to  report  such  matters  to  the  Association  at  its 
next  regular  meeting  and  prior  thereto,  when 
necessary,  to  the  Advisory  Council  of  the  Asso- 
ciation. It  shall  also  be  the  duty  of  this  Com- 
mittee to  act  upon  all  matters  referred  to  it  and 
report  such  action  to  the  Association. 

Section  2.  Committee  on  Matters  cognizable  by 
the  Board  of  Estimate  and  Apportionment  and 
the  Public  Service  Commission. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  tliis  Committee  to  keep 
informed  of  all  matters  that  may  affect  the  in- 
terests of  the  Association  under  the  jurisdiction 
of  the  Board  of  Estimate  and  Apportionment  and 
the  Public  Service  Commission  and  to  report 
such  matters  to  the  Association  at  its  next  regu- 
lar meeting,  and  prior  thereto,  when  necessary, 

18 


to  the  Advisory  Council  of  the  Association.  It 
shall  also  be  the  duty  of  this  Committee  to  act 
upon  all  matters  referred  to  it,  and  report  such 
action  to  the  Association. 

Section  J,  Committee  on  Matters  cognizable  by 
the  Board  of  Aldermen,  Borough  President,  and 
Sinking  Fund  Commission. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  this  Committee  to  keep 
informed  of  all  matters  that  may  affect  the  in- 
terests of  the  Association  under  the  jurisdiction 
of  the  Board  of  Aldermen  of  the  City  of  New 
York,  the  President  of  the  Borough  of  Manhat- 
tan, and  the  Local  Boards  and  the  Commissioners 
of  the  Sinking  Fund,  and  to  report  such  matters 
to  the  Association  at  its  next  regular  meeting, 
and  prior  thereto,  when  necessary,  to  the  Ad- 
visory Council  of  the  Association.  It  shall  also 
be  the  duty  of  this  Committee  to  act  upon  all 
matters  referred  to  it  and  report  such  action  to 
the  Association. 

Section  4.  Committee  on  Matters  of  City  De- 
partments. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  this  Committee  to  keep 
informed  of  all  matters  that  may  affect  the  in- 
terests of  the  Association  under  the  jurisdiction 
of  any  of  the  administrative  departments  of  the 
City  of  Nezv  York  and  to  report  such  matters  to 
the  Association  at  its  next  regular  meeting,  and 
prior  thereto,  when  necessary,  to  the  Advisory 
Council  of  the  Association.    It  shall  also  be  the 


19 


duty  of  this  Committee  to  act  upon  all  matters 
referred  to  it  and  report  such  action  to  the  Asso- 
ciation. 

Section  5.  Committee  on  Budget  and  Taxa- 
tion. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  this  Committee  to 
keep  informed  of  all  matters  that  may  affect 
the  interests  of  the  Association  relating  to 
City  and  State  appropriations,  finance  and 
taxation  and  proposed  measures  for  City  or  State 
expenditures,  taxation  and  City  budget  appro- 
priations and  to  report  such  matters  to  the  Asso- 
ciation at  its  next  regular  meeting,  and  prior 
thereto,  zvhen  necessary,  to  the  Advisory  Council 
of  the  Association.  It  shall  also  be  the  duty  of 
this  Committee  to  act  upon  all  matters  referred 
to  it  and  report  such  action  to  the  Association. 

Section  6.  Committee  on  Laiv  and  Legis- 
lation. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  this  Committee  to 
keep  informed  of  all  legislation,  pending  or 
proposed,  before  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of 
New  York,  the  Governor  and  the  Mayor  which 
may  affect  the  interests  of  the  Association  and 
report  such  matters  to  the  Association  at  its 
next  regular  meeting,  and  prior  thereto,  when 
necessary,  to  the  Advisory  Council  of  the  Asso- 
ciation. It  shall  also  be  the  duty  of  this  Com- 
mittee to  act  upon  all  matters  referred  to  it  and 
report  such  action  to  the  Association. 

20 


Section  /.    Committee  on  Finance. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Finance  Committee 
to  pass  upon  and  audit  all  bills  of  the  Treasurer 
before  the  Treasurer  pays  the  same,  and  to  ex- 
amine and  report  upon  the  Treasurer's  annual 
report. 

No  appropriation  of  Association  funds,  except 
for  expenses  or  disbursements  of  a  standing  or 
special  committee  of  the  Association,  shall  be 
made  unless  the  resolution  providing  therefor 
shall  have  been  referred  to  and  approved  by  this 
committee. 

Section  8.   House  Committee. 

The  House  Committee  shall  provide  a  place 
of  meeting  for  the  Association  and  arrange  all 
details  relative  thereto,  reporting  at  each  regular 
meeting  upon  such  matters  as  may  pertain  to 
the  comfort  and  welfare  of  its  members. 

Section  p.   Committee  on  Membership. 

Candidates  for  membership  may  be  proposed 
by  any  member  who  shall  send  to  the  Chairman 
of  this  Committee  the  name  of  the  candi- 
date, together  with  his  place  of  residence  and 
a  statement  of  his  qualifications;  and  it  shall 
be  the  duty  of  the  Committee  to  make  diligent 
inquiries  as  to  the  qualifications  of  the  candi- 
date; and  its  proceedings  shall  be  secret  and 
confidential.  Candidates  against  whom  there 
shall  be  a  majority  of  negative  votes  in  the  Com- 
mittee shall  not  be  recommended  for  member- 


21 


ship.  Such  candidates  as  this  Committee  shall 
approve  shall  be  reported  at  a  regular  meeting 
with  a  recommendation  for  election. 

Section  10.   Committee  on  Grievances. 

Any  matter  brought  before  the  Association  in 
the  nature  of  a  complaint  or  grievance,  which 
cannot  properly  be  referred  to  any  other  com- 
mittee may  be  referred  to  the  Committee  on 
Grievances,  who  shall  act  and  report  back  in  like 
manner 

XV. 

General  Duties  and  Powers  of  Committees 
Each  of  the  Committees  named  in  the  fore- 
going By-Laws  shall  consist  of  not  less  than  three 
nor  more  than  nine  Active  Members,  to  be 
appointed  by  the  President,  who  shall  continue 
in  office  until  the  annual  meeting  next  after  their 
appointment,  and  until  their  successors  are  ap- 
pointed, and  eacJi  of  said  Committees  shall  have 
full  power  to  fill  vacancies.  All  Committees* 
shall  meet  once  a  month  during  the  year,  except 
in  July,  August  and  September.  All  Committees 
shall  have  power  to  fix  their  own  time  and  place 
of  meeting,  and  to  adopt  rules  and  regulations 
for  their  own  government  and  course  of  pro- 
cedure not  inconsistent  with  the  Constitution  and 
By-Laws.  The  Executive  Committee  and  each 
Standing  and  Special  Committee  shall  report  in 
writing  at  each  regular  meeting,  and,  when  re- 

22 


quired,  to  the  Advisory  Council  or  Executive 
Committee. 

Whenever  a  report  of  a  committee  is  not 
ordered  to  be  printed  in  full  and  distributed  to 
the  members  of  the  Association,  the  Chairman  of 
such  Committee  shall  prepare  a  summary  thereof 
for  such  distribution. 

XVI 

The  Recorder 
The  President  may  appoint  a  Recorder  to  serve 
and  assist  the  Secretary  of  the  Association.  His 
duties  shall  consist  of  keeping  and  recording  the 
reports  of  the  officers,  committees  and  council, 
as  provided  by  tJie  Secretary  and  attending  to 
the  distribution  or  publication  of  the  same  in 
whatever  manner  the  Association  may  determine. 
The  President,  with  the  concurrence  of  the  Exec- 
utive and  Finance  Committees,  may  agree  to  pay 
to  such  Recorder  such  yearly  sum  as  may  be  de- 
termined or  agreed  as  compensation  for  his 
service. 

[XV]  XVII 

AMENDMENTS 

These  By-Laws  may  be  amended  at  any  regu- 
lar meeting  of  the  Association  by  a  two-thirds 
vote  of  those  present,  provided  that  notice  of 
the  proposed  amendment  shall  have  been  given 
in  the  notice  of  this  meeting. 


25 


[XVI 


SPECIAL  POWER  OF  PRESIDENT. 

During  the  summer  vacation,  or  whenever  the 
regular  monthly  meetings  are  suspended  by  the 
vote  of  the  Association  the  President  may,  at 
his  discretion,  refer  any  business  connected  with 
the  Association  to  any  committee  to  take  such 
action  in  the  premises  as  they  see  fit.] 

(Note:  This  section  is  incorporated  in  Section 
"I"  above.) 


24 


